JP2013075327A - Hollow container recovery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hollow container recovery apparatus which can increase the working efficiency of hollow container recovery.SOLUTION: Regarding the hollow container recovery apparatus in which hollow containers (a) charged from a charge port 2 are classified by a distribution means 7 and are stored in a hollow container recovery/storage part 9, at least two the distribution means 7 are provided in parallel, the hollow containers controlled so as to be classified to the opposite directions by the respective distribution means 7 are stored in a common recovery/storage part 9a arranged at the lower part between the respective distribution means, and the hollow containers (a) classified so as to be the detachment directions respectively by the distribution means 7 arranged in parallel are stored in an individual recovery/storage parts 9b at the outermost sides, which are arranged at the lower parts in the outer directions of the distribution means and arranged adjacently to the common recovery/storage part 9a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an empty container collection device for sorting and collecting empty containers such as cans (aluminum cans, steel cans, etc.) containing drinking water and plastic bottles.

In general, an empty container collection device that collects empty containers such as cans and plastic bottles containing drinking water collects empty containers into cans and plastic bottles. Further, a plurality of empty container collection devices may be installed in order for an operator to efficiently collect empty containers. In such a case, when collecting the empty containers collected by the empty container collection device, it is necessary to perform the work for each collection device and the number of collection storage units, and the number of operations is troublesome. In addition, there is a problem that the work becomes complicated because the work of collecting the same kind of empty containers is added.
In order to solve such a problem, a recovery device in which a recovery container for each type of empty container is mounted on one empty container recovery device has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the empty container recovery device has a plurality of recovery storage units that store several types of empty containers for each type in the empty container recovery device, the amount of storage of each recovery storage unit is limited. For this reason, there is a problem that each of the collection storage units is immediately filled with empty containers. In addition, although it is conceivable to install a plurality of the empty container collection devices, there is a problem that the above-described work becomes complicated.
Furthermore, the space area (installation space) in which the empty container collection device is installed is often limited, and there is a problem that it is not possible to install the required number of empty container collection devices.

In addition, since the conventional empty container collection apparatus has one input port for introducing an empty container into the apparatus, the next person must wait for the end while one person is using it. The waiting time is troublesome, and if the waiting time is long, there is a possibility that the utilization rate decreases and the recovery rate of empty containers also decreases.
In addition, as in Patent Document 1, an apparatus provided with an input port for each type also has the same problem as described above if an input port for supplying the same type of empty container is in use.

Utility Model Registration No. 3102592

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an empty container recovery apparatus that can improve the work efficiency of empty container recovery.

In order to achieve the above object, the empty container recovery apparatus of the present invention is an empty container recovery apparatus that sorts empty containers input from an input port by an assigning means and stores them in an empty container recovery storage section. There are two in parallel, each of the sorting means is controlled so as to sort the empty containers in the opposite direction, and accommodated in a shared collection storage section arranged at the lower part between the sorting means, the sorting means arranged in parallel are respectively The empty containers sorted in the separating direction are arranged at the lower outer part of the sorting means and are accommodated in the outermost individual collection storage unit arranged next to the shared collection storage unit.
The sizes of the shared collection storage unit and the individual collection storage unit are preferably larger than the individual collection storage unit because the shared collection storage unit contains empty containers that are sorted from both of the adjacent sorting units. However, they may be the same size.
Arranging the individual collection storage unit next to the shared collection storage unit means both a form in which the two storage parts are arranged adjacent to each other and a form in which the both storage parts are arranged at a slight interval.

According to the above means, the empty containers sorted in the opposite direction by the sorting means adjacent to each other are housed in one common collection storage section, and the empty containers sorted in the direction in which the sorting means are separated to the individual collection storage section. Since it is controlled so as to be accommodated, the number of empty container collection operations can be reduced and the work efficiency can be increased in a limited installation space.
In addition, by making the empty containers sorted in the opposite direction the same type of empty containers, the number of empty container collection operations can be reduced and the work efficiency can be increased. The same type of empty container is, for example, the material of an empty container such as metal or pet, the color of the empty container, or an empty container of a product sold in any country (for example, a bottle or a PET bottle). A bar code printed on a label attached to an empty container is used to determine the country where the product is sold, and an empty container (for example, a plastic bottle or a bottle) of products sold in the same country is shared and collected And empty containers (for example, plastic bottles and bottles) of products sold in other countries may be stored in the individual collection storage unit.

The number of the inlets may be one or plural (for example, the same number as the number of distribution means). However, when the number of the inlets is one, it is necessary to equip the distribution transport means for supplying the supplied empty containers to the distribution means arranged in parallel.
Further, as a specific example in which a plurality of the inlets are provided, each of the conveying means for conveying the empty container to the sorting means arranged in parallel is provided on the start end side of the conveying means.
In this case, a single collection device can be used simultaneously by a plurality of users, and the utilization rate of the device and the collection rate of empty containers can be increased.

In the recovery device, a detecting means for detecting whether or not the empty container storage of the shared recovery storage section and the individual recovery storage section has reached a limit is arranged at a lower part in the sorting direction of the distribution means, and the detection means If the limit of accommodation is detected, the collection function may be stopped.
In that case, the detection means for detecting the storage amount of the shared collection storage section is arranged at the lower part of the sorting direction of both sorting means for sorting empty containers into the shared collection storage section, and either one of the detection means is stored. When the limit is detected, the collection function is stopped.
Accordingly, the collection storage unit does not store the empty container exceeding the maximum storage amount, and therefore it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the phenomenon that the collection storage unit cannot be taken out during the empty container recovery operation.

Further, the empty container recovery apparatus according to the present invention may recover the empty container as it is, but may be an apparatus provided with a crushing means for reducing the volume of the empty container in order to further improve the recovery efficiency. In this case, the crushing means is arranged between the paths from the sorting direction of the sorting means to the collection storage unit. In addition, the crushing means may be provided in all sorting destinations of each sorting means, or may be selectively equipped according to the type of empty container.
In addition, the empty container collection device according to the present invention is generally configured by arranging a necessary number of each component member in a case. For example, the empty container collection device includes one input port and one conveyance unit, and includes a distribution unit, a crushing unit, and the like. A plurality of unit units of the empty container collection device equipped with each means are connected in parallel to form a processing mechanism unit, and a recovery storage unit (shared recovery storage unit, individual recovery storage unit) below the processing mechanism unit ) May be arranged.

  The empty container recovery device of the present invention can efficiently recover an empty container in a limited installation space without inconvenience to the user.

The schematic side view which shows an example of embodiment of the empty container collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on this invention. The schematic front view which cuts and shows a part. The accommodation state of the empty container in a common collection | recovery storage part is shown, (a) is a present Example, (b) is a conventional structure. The block diagram of the empty container collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the flow of a collection process.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of an empty container collection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The empty container collection device A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a printer that issues a processing confirmation ticket corresponding to the deposit system. Reference numeral 1 denotes a case of the collection device, and 2 and 2 ′ denote front surfaces of the case 1. In the case 1, a transport means 3 for transporting the empty container a to a predetermined position located behind the empty container input ports 2, 2 ′ is provided in the case 1. Rolling support means 4 that supports the barcode reading position, vertical movement means 5 that swings the conveying means 3 up and down in order to transfer from the conveying means 3 to the rolling support means 4, the conveying means 3, or rolling A barcode reader 6 for reading the barcode displayed on the empty container a supported by the support means 4; a sorting means 7 for sorting the empty containers whose barcode has been read into different crushing means for each container (type); Finishing Crushing means 8, 8 ′ for crushing the empty container “a”, the recovery storage part 9 for storing the crushed empty container, and detecting whether the empty container stored in the recovery storage part has reached the maximum capacity And a printer 11 for issuing a ticket proving that the empty container has been collected.
That is, in the case 1, there are two recovery processing apparatuses comprising a conveying means 3, a rolling support means 4, a vertical movement means 5, a barcode reader 6, a sorting means 7, crushing means 8 and 8 ′, and a detection means 10. Are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and are configured such that a shared collection storage unit 9a is disposed below the collection processing devices, and individual collection storage units 9b and 9b ′ are disposed below the collection processing devices. .

The transport means 3 for transporting empty containers (steel cans, aluminum cans, PET bottles, etc.) introduced from the empty container inlets 2 and 2 'to a position where the barcode reader 6 can read them is provided with a narrow endless belt 3a. A belt conveyor is wound around the drive pulley 3b and the driven pulley 3c, and the drive pulley 3b is configured to be driven and rotated from a motor 3d through a power transmission means such as a belt. The surface of the endless belt 3a that constitutes the conveying surface is made of a material that is larger than the frictional resistance on the surface (aluminum material) of a roller that constitutes the rolling support means 4 described later, such as urethane resin or vinyl chloride resin. It is configured.
The conveying means 3 is mounted on a base 12 installed in the case 1 so as to be swingable up and down on a mounting base 14 supported via a load cell 13.

The transport means 3 is supported by a shaft 15 of the drive pulley 3b on the transport start end side so as to be rotatable by an upright frame 15 standing on the mount 14, and the substantially central position of the transport means 3 in the length direction is It is supported by the vertical movement means 5 installed on the mounting base 14.
The vertical moving means 5 is composed of a motor 5a, an eccentric rotating plate 5b attached to the output shaft of the motor 5a, and an arm 5c connecting the eccentric rotating plate 5b and the conveying means 3, and the motor 5a operates. As a result, the arm 5c swings, whereby the transport means 3 moves up and down on the transport end (driven pulley 3c) side with the transport start end (drive pulley 3b) as a fulcrum. The vertical moving means 5 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and any method may be used as long as it can move the opposite side up and down using the conveyance start point side as a fulcrum.

A first container detection sensor 16, a second container detection sensor 17, and a material sensor (optical sensor) are disposed on the side of the start end across the conveyance path of the conveyance means 3 in the conveyance direction of the conveyance means 3. ) 18 are sequentially arranged at a predetermined interval, and a magnetic sensor 19 for discriminating between a steel can and an aluminum can is disposed between the forward path surface (conveying surface) and the return path surface of the endless belt 3a of the conveying means 3. Has been.
As a result, when the introduced empty container a is a steel can, it is detected by the magnetic sensor 19, and when the introduced empty container is a plastic bottle, it is detected by the material sensor (optical sensor) 18.
The first and second container detection sensors 16 and 17 detect the moving direction of the empty container a. That is, when the order of the detection signal of the sensor is the first container detection sensor 16 → the second container detection sensor 17, it is turned on, and when the order is the second container detection sensor 17 → the first container detection sensor 16, it is returned or illegal. Take out.
Further, a third container detection sensor 20 for detecting whether or not the empty container a has been transported to a predetermined position (a reading position by a barcode reader) by the transport means 3 is disposed on the terminal side portion of the transport means 3. ing. When the third container detection sensor 20 detects the presence of an empty container, the transport of the transport unit 3 is stopped.

  The rolling support means 4 includes two rollers 4a and 4b arranged horizontally on both the left and right sides with an endless belt 3a constituting the conveying means 3 and a motor 4c for rotating the two rollers 4a and 4b. And a power transmission member 4d including a toothed pulley and a toothed belt for transmitting the rotation of the motor 4c to the two rollers 4a and 4b. The power transmission member 4d is formed by winding a toothed belt in a triangular shape across the toothed pulley of the motor 4c and the toothed pulley of two rollers arranged in parallel with the conveying means 3 interposed therebetween, and the two rollers 4a, 4b is configured to rotate in the same direction.

Further, the rollers 4a and 4b of the rolling support means 4 have a length from the position where they have passed through the detection range by the sensor to the vicinity of the end side of the conveying means 3, so that the can and the plastic bottle can be stabilized. It comes to be able to support well. The two rollers 4a and 4b constituting the rolling support means 4 are in contact with the empty container at the time of carrying by the carrying means 3.
When the conveying means 3 is tilted and lowered forward and downward by the up-and-down moving means 5, the state where it has been supported by the two points of the endless belt 3a and the two rollers 4a and 4b until then is endless. When the support by the belt 3a is lost, the support is switched to the two-point support by the two rollers 4a and 4b, and the empty container a is rolled by the rotation of the rollers 4a and 4b.

The bar code reader 6 reads the bar code b displayed on the peripheral surface of the inserted empty container a, and is suspended above the rolling support means 4 in the direction of the transfer support means. Has been. Note that a plurality (two in the drawing) of barcode readers may be fixed at a predetermined angle, but the readable range may be expanded by a swinging type, a sliding type, or the like. Further, the number of barcode readers 6 is not limited to a plurality, and may be one.
The reading of the barcode by the barcode reader 6 is processed by comparing the data read from the inserted empty container a with the information stored in the database of the control means. In the apparatus corresponding to the deposit system, if the container is an empty container that is not a deposit target, the container is collected, but it is possible not to issue a ticket.

When the reading by the bar code reader 6 is completed, the empty container a is sorted out by the sorting means 7 into the crushing means 8, 8 'according to the type.
The distributing means 7 includes a cylindrical frame 7a whose upper and lower surfaces and a front surface (surface corresponding to the inserted empty container) are opened by a metal plate or a resin plate, and a swing that swings the cylindrical frame 7a in the left-right direction. It is comprised by the mechanism 7b, and is located right above the said rolling support means 4, and is supported so that rocking | fluctuation in the left-right direction is possible.
For swinging in the left-right direction, the empty containers a supported on the two rollers 4 a, 4 b of the rolling support means 4 are sorted into crushing means 8, 8 ′ arranged on the left and right sides of the rolling support means 4. As shown in FIG. 1, it is configured to swing left and right with the upper center of the cylindrical frame 7a as a fulcrum.
The swing mechanism 7b is composed of swing means such as a cam and a motor that drives the swing means. The opening of the upper surface of the cylindrical frame 7a is to ensure that the barcode reader 6 can perform reading.

The crushing means 8 and 8 'reduce the volume of the empty container a. The two toothed drums 8a and 8b, the rotary blade 8c that pushes the empty container a into the toothed drums 8a and 8b, and the distributing means. 7 and the hopper 8d for guiding the empty container a sorted in 7 to the toothed drums 8a and 8b. The left and right crushing means 8, 8 ′ are configured to be driven by a single motor 21. The crushing means 8 and 8 'are not limited to the illustrated form, and can be appropriately selected, for example, a crushing means that is flattened between two rollers. Further, when the empty containers a are sorted without being crushed and collected as they are, the equipment for the crushing means is not necessary.
The empty containers subjected to volume reduction processing by the crushing means 8 and 8 ′ are accommodated in a collection and storage unit 9 (common collection and storage unit 9a, individual collection and storage unit 9b) disposed below the empty container. The collection storage unit 9 (common collection storage unit 9a, individual collection storage unit 9b) is opened and closed by opening an opening / closing door provided on the front surface or side surface of the case 1.

The collection storage unit 9 includes a shared collection storage unit 9a for storing empty containers a sorted in the opposite direction of the distribution units 7 and 7 arranged in parallel with each other, and the two distribution units 7 and 7 separated from each other. In the two individual collection storage units 9b for storing the empty containers a sorted in the direction, the shared collection storage unit 9a is arranged below the distribution means 7 and 7, and the individual collection storage unit 9b is the distribution unit 7 and 7 are arranged below the outside.
Specifically, the crushing means 8 disposed below one of the distribution means 7 (left side in FIG. 1) and the crushing means disposed below the other (right side in FIG. 1) distribution means 7. 8 'is disposed so as to extend over both of them, and the lower side of the crushing means 8' arranged below the distribution means 7 on one side (left side in FIG. 1) and the other side (toward the direction of FIG. 1). The individual collection and storage portions 9b are respectively arranged below the crushing means 8 arranged below the distribution means 7 on the right side.
The common collection / accommodation unit 9a is formed larger than the individual collection / accommodation unit 9b in order to accommodate the empty containers a distributed from the two distribution units 7.

In the shared collection storage unit 9a and the individual collection storage unit 9b, a maximum storage amount L (full) in each collection box is set. The maximum accommodation amount L means the storage limit of the empty container in the collection storage unit, and is a position (virtual horizontal line) slightly lowered from the upper edge (opening edge) to the bottom side of the collection storage unit. This position represents the limit of the amount of accommodation in which the pile of the accommodated empty container does not interfere with the operation of surrounding members, for example, the crushing means, or interfere with the removal of the collection storage unit.
And detection which detects whether the accommodation amount of the volume-reduced empty container a with respect to the said common collection | recovery storage part 9a and the separate collection | recovery storage part 9b has reached the maximum accommodation amount (full) in each collection | recovery storage part Means 10 are arranged.

  The detection means 10 includes a light emitting element (light source such as an LED or a laser diode) 10a for irradiating measurement light, and a light receiving element (PSD, COMS, etc.) 10b for receiving reflected measurement light reflected by a measurement object (empty container). As a distance sensor known today as a pair, the imaging position on the light receiving element changes in proportion to the distance as the distance (position) of the measurement object (empty container) changes. A triangulation distance sensor that analyzes the light receiving position on the light receiving element and measures the distance is used. The optical distance sensor used as the detection means is not limited to the triangulation distance sensor, but measures a slight time from when the measurement light is irradiated until it is received, and the time difference is used as the distance. A time-of-flight distance sensor to be converted may be used.

The detection means 10 is arranged so as to be able to detect the top position (the top of the mountain of the empty container a formed by dropping from the crushing means to the collection storage section) due to the accumulation tendency of the empty containers a in the respective collection storage sections 9a, 9b. ing. The detection means 10 is attached to the frame or the like of the case 1, and the light emitting element 10a and the light receiving element 10b of the detection means 10 are individually attached to the frame, or the light emitting element 10a and the light receiving element 10b are attached to the base plate. Any method may be used such as attaching to the frame of the case and attaching the base plate to the frame of the case.
Further, the mounting of the light emitting element 10a and the light receiving element 10b to the base plate and the mounting of the base plate to the frame can be adjusted by a slot or the like, so that the optical axis of the detecting means 10 can be adjusted according to the tendency of the empty containers to be integrated. Can be adjusted to an optimum position.

Further, the detection means 10 is provided for each collection storage section in order to detect the storage status of each collection storage section 9, but the shared collection storage section 9a is opposed to two sorting means 7, 7 arranged in parallel. The empty container in the sorting direction is reduced in volume by the crushing means 8 and the crushing means 8 ′ and is dropped and accommodated. As a result, the common collection storage unit 9a can have two empty container piles that are dropped and collected from the two crushing means 8 and 8 'into the collection storage unit, and the tops of the two peaks are individually detected. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the detecting means 10 is disposed below the crushing means 8 and 8 'facing the common collection storage portion 9a. Thereby, even if an empty container is dropped from two directions into the shared collection storage unit 9a, the storage status of each mountain can be detected, so that it is possible to reliably prevent storage exceeding the maximum storage capacity. However, as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, when one detection means 10 is arranged at a substantially central position of the collection storage unit 9, it is possible to detect two peaks of empty containers that can be formed in the collection storage unit. First, when the detection means 10 detects the maximum capacity, the left and right empty containers may exceed the maximum capacity. In such a case, there arises a problem that the pile of the empty container obstructs and the collection storage unit cannot be pulled out, or the pile of the empty container hinders the operation of the crushing means. This apparatus solves such a problem.
When any of the detection means 10 corresponding to the collection storage unit 9 detects that the storage amount in the collection storage unit 9 has reached the maximum storage amount, the recovery function of the recovery device is stopped and a new empty At the same time the container is stopped being put into the collection device, the display unit of the device displays that the collection box has reached the maximum capacity (full), and informs the administrator of the device that the collection storage unit has been replaced. Get in touch.

The printer 11 issues a container collection ticket (certificate) to a provider who brings in an empty container to be deposited among the empty containers put into the apparatus. The provider can exchange the ticket for a predetermined price or product by taking the issued ticket to a predetermined shop or the like.
In addition, the collected empty container materials (aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic bottles, etc.), beverage manufacturers, product types, quantities, etc. are all recorded in a data processing device (not shown) in the case, and the aggregated data. Can be taken out at any time.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, each component of the above-described empty container collection apparatus is connected to a CPU (control means) 22 that controls each block via a bus 23, a ROM 24, a RAM 25, a display means 26, a reading means (bar). Code reader) 6, printing means (printer) 11, weighing means (load cell) 13, container detection means (container detection sensor, material sensor, magnetic sensor) 16, 17, 18, 19, transport means 3, sorting means 7, The crushing means 8, 8 ′ and the detection means 10 are connected.
Various programs executed by the CPU 22 are stored in the ROM 24.
The RAM 25 temporarily stores data for the CPU 22 to execute. For example, the material of the empty container (aluminum can, steel can, plastic bottle, etc.), beverage manufacturer (including the country of manufacture), product type, etc. Product files and conditions for sorting and storing empty containers into the shared collection storage unit and the individual collection storage unit (for example, the material of the input empty container stores the PET bottles in the shared collection storage unit, otherwise the individual collection storage Configuration file in which the product is stored in a shared collection storage unit if the country in which the product of the input empty container is manufactured is its own country, or is stored in the individual collection storage unit otherwise) Alternatively, print information to be printed by the printing unit, a message to be displayed by the display unit 26, or the like is stored.
The display means 26 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and is configured to display deposit information, error warnings, and the like.
The printing means (printer) 11 issues a receipt (ticket) for collecting containers to a provider who has brought in an empty container to be deposited among empty containers put into the apparatus. The provider can exchange the ticket for a predetermined price or product by taking the ticket to a predetermined shop or the like. In addition, the data of the collected empty container a (aluminum can, steel can, plastic bottle, etc.), beverage maker, product type, quantity, etc. are all stored in a data processing device (not shown) in the case. Aggregated data can be retrieved at any time.
The weighing means (load cell) 13 weighs a weight for determining whether or not a leftover is left in the input empty container.

Next, an outline of the processing operation of the above-described empty container collection device will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
(Start)... Each part becomes operable by turning on the power switch.
(ST1) ... It is determined whether each detecting means 10 for detecting the storage capacity of the shared recovery storage section and the individual recovery storage section detects the maximum storage capacity (full). If any of the detecting means 10 detects the maximum capacity (full) (YES), the recovery function of the apparatus is stopped, and the display unit is full of the recovery storage part, and to the manager or the like Is displayed. If none of the detection means 10 detects the maximum capacity (full) (NO), the process proceeds to (ST2) because the empty container can be charged (collected).
(ST2) ... When the empty container a is inserted (inserted) into the container insertion port, the first container detection sensor 16 and the second container detection sensor 17 determine whether or not the insertion is performed. If it is determined to be inserted according to the detection timing (order) (YES), proceed to (ST3), otherwise (NO) proceed to (ST4), and if returning (YES), take out an empty container from the insertion port. Return to (ST1).

(ST3)... Whether the empty container is checked by the material sensor (optical sensor) 18 and the magnetic sensor 19 and is a product subject to collection processing (in this description, an aluminum can and a plastic bottle are used as a product to be collected) Is judged. The plastic bottle is detected by a material sensor (optical sensor) 18, and the steel can is detected by a magnetic sensor 19. In addition, when the weight of the empty container including the conveying means is detected by the load cell that supports the conveying means 3, and the detected weight is equal to or more than the set value, it is determined that the beverage remains in the container and an error occurs. And If it is a product to be collected (aluminum can and plastic bottle) (YES), the process proceeds to (ST5).
(ST5)... The transport means 3 operates to transport the empty container a to the barcode reading position (predetermined position). The third container detection sensor 20 detects whether or not the empty container has been transported to a predetermined position.
(ST6) ... When the barcode b displayed on the empty container a is read during conveyance to the reading position and the reading is completed (YES), the process proceeds to (ST7) and the reading is completed. If not (NO), the process proceeds to (ST8), the conveying means 3 is moved (lowered) below the rolling support means 4, the empty container a is placed on the rolling support means 4, and the rolling support means 4 The empty container a is rolled by the operation, and the barcode is read.
(ST7) ... Based on the read data, it is determined whether or not the empty container is a collection target product. If it is a collection target product (YES), the process proceeds to (ST9), and if it is not a collection target product (NO), it is transported The means 3 is raised to transfer the empty container a from the rolling support means 4 to the conveying means 3, and the conveying means 3 is rotated in the reverse direction to convey the empty container a to the inlet side.

(ST9) ... In the case of a product to be collected, the sorting means 7 operates according to each type (in this description, an aluminum can and a plastic bottle), and the empty container a on the rolling support means 4 is changed to the crushing means 8 or 8 '. Sort. In this description, when a plastic bottle is stored in the common recovery storage section 9a and an aluminum can is stored in the left and right individual recovery storage sections 9b, even if an empty container for the PET bottle is inserted from either the left or right inlet, Are sorted in the opposite direction by the sorting means, are crushed by the crushing means 8 (or crushing means 8 ') arranged at the lower part of the sorting direction, and are dropped and accommodated in the lower common collection storage section 9a. The amount of empty containers accommodated in the shared collection storage unit 9a or the individual collection storage unit 9b is constantly monitored by the detection means 10 so that the storage amount does not exceed the maximum storage amount (full) of each recovery storage unit. It has become. Further, when the product to be collected is an aluminum can, the empty container is sorted in the separating direction by the sorting means 7), and is crushed by the crushing means 8 '(or the crushing means 8) arranged below the sorting direction. Then, it is dropped and accommodated in the individual collection and storage unit 9b below. When the crushing process by the crushing means 8 and 8 'is completed, the processing content is printed by the printer and a ticket is issued. However, if the first container detection sensor 16 and the second container detection sensor 17 detect removal of the empty container before issuing the ticket, the ticket issuance is prohibited.
In addition, the amount of empty containers stored in the shared collection storage unit 9a is separately detected and monitored by the detection unit 10 corresponding to the fall and accumulation state from the two crushing units 8 and 8 '. By changing, it is possible to determine the recovery state of the shared recovery storage unit based on the results detected by the two detection means, and it is also possible to detect a bias in storage.

  According to the above apparatus, the empty container charged from the charging port 2 (or the charging port 2 ') is sorted and crushed (volume-reduced) based on the above flowchart, and stored in the recovery storage unit. Depending on the type of empty container, even if it is inserted from either the left or right input port, it is stored in the shared recovery storage unit 9a, so that it can be recovered efficiently. In addition, because it has a plurality of inlets, even if one of them is in use, empty containers can be inserted from the other empty inlets, so it is possible to eliminate the arrangement (waiting in order) for use, The utilization rate of the apparatus can be improved.

  In the case of the apparatus shown in the embodiment having two input ports, the empty container collecting apparatus according to the present invention is generally configured by arranging each component member in the case 1 as shown in the figure. For example, two unit units of an empty container collection device equipped with one input port and equipped with a set of conveying means, rolling support means, sorting means, and crushing means in the case are connected in parallel to the processing mechanism section. And a recovery storage unit (shared recovery storage unit, individual recovery storage unit) may be arranged below the processing mechanism unit. It should be noted that the number of unit bodies is not limited to two, but may be three or more. In that case, the unit body empty container collection device is located at the outermost (left and right) shared collection storage portion below the unit body connection portion. An individual collection / accommodation section is arranged at the lower part of the distribution means in the outer direction (separation direction). In addition, it is necessary to change the setting of the opposing sorting directions of the sorting means in the connected apparatus so that the same type of empty containers can be sorted.

The empty container collection device of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.
(1) In the embodiment, an example is shown in which a crushing means for reducing the volume of an empty container is provided on the downstream side of the distributing means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be an apparatus that recovers as it is without volume.
(2) In the embodiment, an example is shown in which the size of the shared collection storage unit is made larger than that of the individual collection storage unit. However, the size is not limited to this, and both sizes are the same or the size of the individual collection storage unit is increased. The size of the shared collection storage unit may be reduced, or the size may be changed according to the conditions of the empty container to be collected as appropriate.
But you can.
(3) In the embodiment, an example is shown in which an optical sensor (photo sensor) is used as the detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the type (method) of a contact type mechanical switch such as an ON / OFF switch is used. Any form is acceptable.
(4) In the embodiment, an example is shown in which an inlet is provided for each transporting means for transporting an empty container to the sorting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two sorting means are provided as in the illustrated embodiment. In such a case, a single inlet may be provided in the middle of the two distribution means, and the distribution means may be provided inside and distributed to the distribution means.
(5) In the embodiment, the empty container that the sorting means sorts in the opposite direction is controlled to sort either the same type of bottle or PET bottle, thereby reducing the number of empty container collection operations and increasing the work efficiency. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same type of empty container may be used as the material of an empty container such as metal or pet, the color of the empty container, or an empty container of a product sold in any country (for example, Bottles and plastic bottles) to determine the country of sale by reading the barcode printed on the label attached to the empty container, and empty containers (for example, plastic bottles and bottles) for products sold in the same country May be accommodated in the common collection and storage unit, and empty containers (for example, plastic bottles and bottles) of products sold in other countries may be accommodated in the individual collection and storage unit.

A ... Empty container recovery device a ... Empty container 2, 2 '... Loading port 3 ... Conveying means 7, 7' ... Distributing means 8, 8 '... Crushing means
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Collection | recovery storage part 9a ... Shared collection | recovery storage part 9b ... Individual collection | recovery storage part 10 ... Detection means

Claims (6)

In the empty container collection device that sorts the empty containers input from the input port by the sorting means and stores them in the empty container recovery storage unit,
The distribution means is provided with at least two in parallel, each of the distribution means is controlled to sort the empty containers in the opposite direction, and accommodated in a shared collection storage section disposed below the distribution means, and arranged in parallel. The empty containers sorted in the separating direction by the sorting means are arranged at the lower outer part of the sorting means and are accommodated in the outermost individual collection storage section arranged next to the shared collection storage section. Empty container collection device.   2. The empty container recovery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input port is provided for each conveying means for conveying an empty container to the sorting means arranged in parallel.   A detection means for detecting whether or not the empty container storage of the shared recovery storage section and the individual recovery storage section has reached a limit is disposed at the lower part of the sorting direction of the sorting means, and when the detection means detects the storage limit, the recovery is performed. The empty container collection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the function is stopped.   The detection means for detecting the storage amount of the shared collection storage section is arranged at the lower part of the sorting direction of both sorting means for sorting empty containers into the shared collection storage section, and any one of the detection means has a storage limit. 4. The empty container collection device according to claim 3, wherein the collection function is stopped when detected.   The empty according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a crushing means for reducing the volume of the sorted empty containers is disposed in a path from the sorting direction of the sorting means to the collection storage unit. Container collection device.   The empty container recovery apparatus according to claim 1 is configured by connecting in parallel a plurality of unit bodies of the empty container recovery apparatus having one input port, one transport means, and one sorting means. An empty container collection device characterized by the above.

Images